WildTrig41: Conics via projective geometry

Conics, such as circles, ellipses, hyperbolas and parabolas, can be defined purely within projective geometry, as realized by the nineteenth century German mathematician Steiner. This is done by using projectivities. There are essentially two dual constructions, one giving a line conic, the other a point conic. We illustrate using The Geometer's Sketchpad, a useful software program for students of geometry.